The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
WALTER MUKANGA is known for his finesse, elegance and crumbling in Dynamos’ pressure cooker.
Very few doubted the footballer’s ability when he made the bold move to DeMbare from Triangle in December 2013. He had proved his worth countless times and a switch to one of the Premier Soccer League’s big boys made sense.
However, the midfielder disappointed in his two-and-a-half seasons at Dynamos. But one man believed in him though and he wasted no time when the chance to assemble his own squad came about in July 2016.
After his unveiling as Ngezi Platinum Stars coach on June 18, Tonderai Ndiraya – who worked with Mukanga as Dynamos assistant coach – immediately offered the 28-year-old linkman a new start in the serene environment of Mhondoro.
That marked the beginning of Mukanga’s rebirth. As log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars march into the capital to face defending champions Caps United at Rufaro this afternoon, Mukanga’s contribution to the team is marked in bold letters.
He has five goals to his credit this term, the best season tally in his entire Premiership career.
Mukanga is a key figure in a blazing Ngezi outfit that has scored 14 goals in the last four games. Madamburo have won four league games on the trot and now sit on top of the rest with 43 points from 21 games.
And Mukanga is enjoying his football again.
“It feels good to be back to my best and this is all because there is less pressure at Ngezi,” he said. The set- up gives you room to freely express yourself. At times I feel the supporters at Dynamos gave me unnecessary pressure.”
The midfielder said the need to repay the confidence Ndiraya invested in him pushes him to give his all in every game.
“I wouldn’t want haters to feast on our coach saying the players he brought to Ngezi are all flops. We want to prove to people that coach Tonde bought the right players,” said Mukanga.
Mukanga’s game has improved since Ndiraya pushed him into a more attacking role, and he has matured into a player his coach describes as “one of the best in the league today”.
“No one has ever doubted his football ability but it was his attitude towards the game which needed correction and I am privileged to work with him when his character has transformed,” said Ndiraya.
“Walter is a very talented player, one of the best in the league in the attacking midfield role he plays for our team.
“He has been performing consistently for us this season. He has improved his goalscoring and we hope he will continue to score goals for us. He has really transformed his attitude towards the game. His discipline has improved and he is working harder than before.
“You can see he is hungrier and now wants to play every game even when he is not fully fit. That’s a sign of a transformed man.”
Although Ngezi Platinum Stars have a top four target, set by the team’s executive at the start of the 2017 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race, murmurs from the corridors at Zimplats offices say the title has become a realistic aim for the Mhondoro side.
And the players are starting to believe, too.
“The fact that we have got less pressure as compared to other competitors like FC Platinum, Chicken Inn and the like makes us more comfortable.
“We have a top four target but as you can see we have become title contenders. We have good facilities here in Mhondoro, we have a great coach and the supporters are backing us,” said Mukanga.
